Illegal lithium mining case sees 24 suspects arraigned in Abuja over alleged unauthorised lithium extraction in Nasarawa State

The Mining Marshals have arraigned 15 Chinese nationals, nine Nigerians and a corporate entity before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged illegal lithium mining activities in Nasarawa State.

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The defendants appeared before Justice Inyang Ekwo Ofili-Ajumogobia of Court 6, Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, following their arrest on May 16, 2026, during an operation in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

According to court documents, the suspects were allegedly engaged in unlawful lithium mining within an area covered by Exploration Licence No. 036528-EL, which belongs to TIMADIX Geomin Consult Ltd.

The alleged operation took place within the licence holder’s mineral title area at designated coordinates in Kokona, where the defendants were said to have carried out mining activities without lawful authority.

A charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/281/2026, obtained by THISDAY, accused the defendants of engaging in illegal mining contrary to Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The charge stated that the offence is punishable under the same provision and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction.

The defendants are Liu Jiabin, Hu Yunzhong, Zhou Yinmou, Zhao Feng, Zhang Yu, Tian Shuqun, Huang Ruqian, Liu Yanliang, Yang Xiaobin, Huang Meiyun, Yuan Tao, Jia Qiuyong, Chen Menghao, Deng Peiming and Yu Yanhai.

The Nigerian defendants are Thankgod Sani, Abubakar Nuhu, Jonathan Akpa Sunday, Pius Favour, Agada Joshua, Sani Osu, Haruna Asambe, Elenekou Akoete Joli and another defendant, alongside C and A International New Energy Ltd.

At the commencement of proceedings, counsel to the defendants, Professor M. T. Adekilekun, SAN, applied for bail, assuring the court that the accused persons would be available throughout the trial.

Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia granted the application and ordered that the defendants be released into the custody of their counsel pending the determination of the case.

In a notable aspect of the ruling, the court did not impose a monetary bond, require sureties or stipulate any financial forfeiture conditions.

Instead, the defendants were directed to deposit their international passports and national identity cards with the court registrar.

Speaking after the proceedings, Lead Prosecution Counsel for the Mining Marshals, Ojo Toluwatope Alex, said the decision to grant bail rested solely with the court.

Alex noted that the undertaking given by the senior advocate effectively placed responsibility on the defence counsel to ensure the defendants’ appearance whenever required by the court.

The prosecutor, however, expressed concern about the possibility of some of the accused persons absconding and said he hoped none of those released would violate the conditions attached to their bail.

The matter was adjourned until June 18, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

Commenting on the case, Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah John Onoja, reaffirmed the agency’s determination to tackle illegal lithium mining and other forms of unlawful mineral extraction across the country.

Onoja described the campaign against illegal mining as a crucial national assignment, stressing that sustained enforcement operations remain necessary to protect Nigeria’s mineral resources and restore order within the mining sector.

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The arraignment marks one of the latest high-profile prosecutions in the government’s intensified crackdown on illegal mining activities, particularly within areas rich in lithium deposits, a mineral increasingly sought after for use in battery and renewable energy technologies.